THE CASTLE HISTORY
The seigneury of Lamarque (the step) was so named because it was situated on the border of Guyenne. Along with the fortresses of Lesparre to the north and Blanquefort to the south, the Lamarque fortress had to defend the Médoc territory from Viking invasions coming from the Gironde. Despite this, many of the northern invaders were seduced by the médocain way of life and the “joie de vivre” of the locals and settled in the region. Later on, during the Hundred Years’ War, the fortress was subjected to heavy attacks.
The foundations, part of the defences and the chapel date from the XIth and XIIth centuries. In the XIVth Century, Pons de Castillon, built the Keep, the defence towers, the entrance gate, the battlements and crenellated walls around the original fortress to create the building which exists today. During the period when the Aquitaine belonged to the English, the Duke of Gloucester and Henry V lodged in the fortress. When the province was returned to France in 1453, the Château de Lamarque was used as the residence for the Governor of Guyenne, notably the Maréchal de Matignon. The Duke of Epernon made some modifications to the fortress to bring it up to XVIIIth century fashion. Monsieur de Brassier was the last owner of the Château prior to the French Révolution.
The foundations, part of the defences and the chapel date from the XIth and XIIth centuries. In the XIVth Century, Pons de Castillon, built the Keep, the defence towers, the entrance gate, the battlements and crenellated walls around the original fortress to create the building which exists today. During the period when the Aquitaine belonged to the English, the Duke of Gloucester and Henry V lodged in the fortress. When the province was returned to France in 1453, the Château de Lamarque was used as the residence for the Governor of Guyenne, notably the Maréchal de Matignon. The Duke of Epernon made some modifications to the fortress to bring it up to XVIIIth century fashion. Monsieur de Brassier was the last owner of the Château prior to the French Révolution.
THE FAMILY HISTORY
In 1839, the Château de Lamarque was bought by the Comte de Fumel, a descendant of an established Quercy family, whose most famous members include, one of the first ambassadors sent to Turkey by François 1st, Henri III’s famous adviser, a Chief of Staff of the French Army stationed in India, a Commanding Military General of the Médoc and the first elected mayor of Bordeaux in 1790 (the great-great-grandfather of Pierre-Gilles Gromand-Brunet d’Evry who today, is responsible for the future of the Château’s vineyard). For information, the family also owned several other domains of which Château Haut-Brion (until 1794) and Château Margaux (until 1806).